A Guide to Fall Pest Proofing

Pest control is not a seasonal project. The efforts to keep the home pest-free should continue year-round. While pest activity often increases during spring and summer, the warm indoor environment during the cold weather pushes pests to move inside and infest homes. As the temperature begins to dip in fall, homes that are not pest-proof become a haven for unwanted guests like cockroaches, ants, spiders, bugs, and rodents. These pests look for food, shelter, and warmth and move indoors to spend winters and avoid the cold weather.

Indoor pests are a nuisance. They can cause severe property damage and pose a severe threat to the health of the occupants. Here are a few steps homeowners can take to protect their homes and keep the pesky pests outside during fall and the upcoming winter season:

Inspect and seal all entry points

Pests are notorious for squeezing into homes, even from the tiniest spaces. Inspect the home’s interior and exterior for any cracks, crevices, and gaps. Use steel wool and caulk to seal cracks and holes around the home’s foundation, window panes, plumbing, dryer exhaust vents, basement screens, and any other place that can become a possible entry point for pests. Replace the outdated or worn-out weatherstripping. Sealing the access points before fall will keep the unwanted pests at bay.

Eliminate moisture

High humidity and wet areas attract pests, making it essential to keep the home clean and dry. Use dehumidifiers to keep basements, crawl spaces, and attics dry. Ensure proper ventilation, and fix leaky pipes, clogged drains, roof leaks, and other moisture problems.

Keep the home clean

Pests need a food supply to survive through the cold weather. Keeping the home clean, clutter-free, and organized is another way to prevent them from sneaking into the house. Good housekeeping habits go a long way in maintaining a pest-free home. Declutter the home, vacuum regularly, remove bread crumbs, do not leave dirty dishes in the sink, wipe the kitchen countertops with a disinfectant cleaner, use airtight containers for storing food, seal the trash cans, and properly dispose of the garbage.

Ensure proper firewood storage

Find a safe storage place for firewood off the ground, at least 20 feet from the house. A wet firewood stack attracts wood-eating insects like fire ants, termites, and wood-boring beetles. These pests tunnel into the home structure when the wood is stacked against the house.

Hire a reliable pest control service

Hiring a pest control service is the best defense against insects and rodents in the fall. Trained and skilled pest exterminators use various insecticides and treatment methods to eliminate an existing infestation and take preventative steps to pest-proof the home against future infestations. In addition, they will keep the home and family protected from the harmful critters.

OTHER EFFECTIVE FALL PEST-PROOFING METHODS:

• Maintain the landscape
• Keep roof and gutters crack- and crevice-free
• Inspect grocery bags and boxes before bringing them inside the home
• Screen attic vents, chimney openings, washer and dryer ventilation openings, mail slots, and animal doors.
• Do not delay home repairs, especially floor, wall, and insulation damage.
• Install door sweeps.
• Ensure a proper outdoor drainage system, and insulate exposed piping.

Get in touch with a local pest control service for more tips to pest-proof the home this fall.

Russell Pest Control is a family-owned Phoenix area pest control company specializing in effective, responsible and proactive insect, weed, and rodent control for commercial and residential customers. We offer free estimates.

"Expect the best from Russell Pest"    |    Call (623) 469-7583 today!